Introduction of modern jute extraction tech underscored

Our Correspondent
GAIBANDHA, Dec 6: A project progress meeting was held here on Tuesday with a call to disseminate modern jute extraction technology to grass root level farmers.
RDRS Bangladesh, a reputed NGO, arranged the meeting under the project of Securing Employment and Economic Development and Jute Textile and Light Engineering Sector in North West Bangladesh with the financial support of European Commission and Practical Action Bangladesh.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Gautam Chandra Pal addressed the function as the chief guest and deputy director of local government section of DC office M. Shafiqul Islam, additional deputy commissioner (General) Mohammad Mizanur Rahman and additional police super Abdullah Al Faruk were present as the special guests.
With deputy director of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) AKM Ruhul Amin in the chair, the meeting was also addressed, among others, by chief jute inspector Mokbul Hossain, vocational education and job placement specialist M. Rafiqul Islam, agriculture and environment coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid, district coordinator (Light engineer) Uzzal Kumar Kar and journalist Sarker M. Shahiduzzaman.
The speakers underscored the need for introducing the modern jute extraction technology to the farmers without delay to get quality jute fibre.
They also put emphasis on providing jute extraction machines to the farmers' community at reasonable cost to popularize the technology in rural areas.
The project is being implemented in Gaibandha, Rangpur, Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts by Practical Action Bangladesh, together with RDRS Bangladesh, Karupannya Rangpur Limited, Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Rangpur Zilla Lathe Machine Sromic Union, while European Commission is providing the fund.
The project aims to strengthen the skills and employability of workers, entrepreneurs in the cottage and small enterprises in the Jute and light-engineering sectors in order to enhance their competitiveness in both domestic and global markets, they also said.
DC Gautam Chandra Pal said the project is expected to improve the quality of jute fiber for producing Bangladesh made high quality jute value added products and creating its demand both at home and international markets.
The DC also sought whole hearted cooperation of the field level officials of the DAE to make the technology a success.
A number of government officials, farmers, jute extraction machine operators, jute traders, and metal workshop owners and journalists participated in the meeting.